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Willobie His Avisa

Or The true Picture of a modest Maid, and of a chast and constant wife. In Hexamiter verse. The like argument wherof, was neuer heretofore published [by Henry Willoby]
Willoughby, Henry (1574?-1596?)
  
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Abell Emet in commendation of Willobies Auisa.
  
In praise of Willobie his Auisa, Hexameton to the Author.
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WILLOBIE HIS AVISA,
  
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The first triall of Avisa, before she was married, by a Noble man: vnder which is represented a warning to all young maids of euery degree, that they beware of the alluring intisements of great men.
 II. 
CANT. II.
 III. 
CANT. III.
 IV. 
CANT. IIII.
 V. 
CANT. V.
 VI. 
CANT. VI.
 VII. 
CANT. VII.
 VIII. 
CANT. VIII.
 IX. 
CANT. IX.
 X. 
CANT. X.
 XI. 
CANT. XI.
 XII. 
CANT. XII.
 XIII. 
CANT. XIII.
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THE SECOND TEMPTATION of Avisa, after her marriage by Ruffians, Roysters, young Gentlemen, and lustie Captaines, which all shee quickly cuts off.
 XIIII. 
CANT. XIIII.
 XV. 
CANT. XV
 XVI. 
CANT. XVI
 XVII. 
CANT. XVII.
 XVIII. 
CANT. XVIII.
 XIX. 
CANT. XIX.
 XX. 
CANT. XX.
 XXI. 
CANT XXI.
 XXII. 
CANT. XXII.
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The third trial; wherin are expressed the long passionate, and constant affections of the close and wary sutor, which by signes, by sighes, by letters, by priuie messengers, by Iewels, Rings, Golde, diuers gifts, and by a long continued course of courtesie, at length preuaileth with many both maides and wiues, if they be not garded wounderfully with a better spirite then their owne, which all are here finely daunted, and mildly ouer throwne, by the constant aunsweres, and chast replies of Auisa.
 XXIII. 
CANT. XXIII.
 XXIIII. 
CANT. XXIIII.
 XXV. 
CANT. XXV.
 XXVI. 
CANT. XXVI.
 XXVII. 
CANT. XXVII.
 XXVIII. 
CANT. XXVIII
 XXIX. 
CANT. XXIX.
 XXX. 
CANT. XXX.
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T. B. Being somewhat grieued with this aunswere, after long absence and silence, at length writeth, as followeth.
 XXXI. 
CANT. XXXI,
 XXXII. 
CANT. XXXII.
 XXXIII. 
CANT XXXIII.
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DYDIMVS HARCO. ANGLO-GERMANVS.
 XXXIIII. 
CANT. XXXIIII.
 XXXV. 
CANT XXXV.
 XXXVI. 
CANT. XXXVI.
 XXXVII. 
CANT. XXXVII.
 XXXVIII. 
CANT. XXXVIII.
 XXXIX. 
CANT XXXIX.
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After long absence, D H. happening to come in on a tyme sodenly to her house, and finding her all alone amongst her maides that were spinning, sayd nothing, but going home wrate these verses following, which he called his Dum habui, and sent them vnto her.
 XL. 
CANT. XL.
 XLI. 
CANT. XLI.
 XLII. 
CANT. XLII.
 XLIII. 
CANT, XLIII.
 XLIIII. 
CANT. XLIIII.
 XLV. 
CANT. XLV.
 XLVI. 
CANT. XLVI.
 XLVII. 
CANT. XLVII.
 XLVIII. 
CANT. XLVIII.
 XLIX. 
CANT. XLIX.
 L. 
CANT. L.
 LI. 
CANT. LI.
 LII. 
CANT. LII
 LIII. 
CANT. LIII.
 LIIII. 
CANT. LIIII.
 LV. 
CANT. LV.
 LVI. 
CANT. LVI.
 LVII. 
CANT. LVII.
 LVIII. 
CANT. LVIII.
 LXI. 
CANT LXI.
 LXII. 
CANT. LXII.
 LXIII. 
CANT. LXIII.
 LXIIII. 
CANT. LXIIII.
 LXV. 
CANT. LXV.
 LXVI. 
CANT, LXVI.
 LXVII. 
CANT. LXVII.
 LXVIII. 
CANT. LXVIII.
 LXIX. 
CANT. LXIX
 LXX. 
CANT. LXX.
 LXXI. 
CANT. LXXI.
 LXXII. 
CANT. LXXII.
 LXXIII. 
CANT. LXXIII.
 LXXIIII. 
CANT, LXXIIII.
  
The Authors conclusion.
  
The resolution of a chast and a constant wife, that minds to continue faithfull vnto her husband.
  
The praise of a contented mind.

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CANT. XIII.

AVISA.
Yea so I thought, this is the end
Of wandring lust, resembling loue,
Wa'st loue or lust, that did intend
Such friendlesse force, as you did moue?
Though you may vaunt of happier fate,
I am content with my estate.
I rather chuse a quiet mind,
A conscience cleare from bloudy sinnes,
Then short delights, and therein find
That gnawing worme, that neuer linnes,
Your bitter speeches please me more,
Then all your wealth, and all your store.
I loue to liue deuoid of crime,
Although I begge, although I pine,
These fading ioyes for little time,
Imbrace who list, I here resine,
How poore I goe, how meane I fare,
If God be pleas'd, I doe not care.
I rather beare your raging ire,
Although you sweare reuengment deepe,
Then yeeld for gaine to lewd desire,
That you might laugh, when I should weepe,
Your lust would like but for a space,
But who could salue my foule disgrace?
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Mine eares haue heard your taunting words,
Of yeelding fooles by you betraid,
Amongst your mates at open bords,
Know'st such a wife? know'st such a maid?
Then must you laugh, then must you winke,
And leaue the rest for them to thinke.
Nay yet welfare the happie life,
That need not blush at euery view:
Although I be a poore mans wife,
Yet then I'le laugh as well as you,
Then laugh as long, as you thinke best,
My fact shall frame you no such iest.
If I doe hap to leape aside,
I must not come to you for aide,
Alas now that you be denide,
You thinke to make me sore afraide;
Nay watch your worst, I doe not care,
If I offend, pray doe not spare.
You were my friend, you were but dust,
The Lord is he, whome I doe loue,
He hath my hart, in him I trust,
And he doth gard me from aboue,
I waie not death, I feare not hell,
This is enough, and so farewell.

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